System and method for facilitating mobile commerce

ABSTRACT

A system and method for facilitating the purchase of goods and/or services between the holder of a wireless communications device and a commerce system is disclosed. The system enables consumers who wish to participate in promotional sales offers to register with a mobile commerce system. Consumers may further define the types of items that they are interested in purchasing. Prior to the start of a promotion, the system sends a text message alert to registered consumers, giving them an opportunity to opt-in via text message from a wireless communications device. When the promotion is activated, the opted-in consumers are alerted via text message and are given an opportunity to send a text message back to the system indicative of a desire to purchase the promotional item. If defined conditions are met, the consumer&#39;s financial account is debited in the amount of the purchase and the consumer is instructed as to how to acquire their purchase.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. Ser.No. 11/741,077 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING MOBILECOMMERCE” filed on Apr. 27, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a system to facilitate commerce witha consumer equipped with a wireless device, and more particularly, to asystem and method for consumers to opt-in to participate in a scheduledpromotion via text messaging from a wireless device. The system alertsconsumers when a promotion begins, and participating consumers may usetheir cell phone, or like device, to send a text message indicative of adesire to purchase the promotional item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technologies leading to miniaturization of complex electronic componentscombined with innovations in the areas of wireless communications andsoftware have resulted in a highly mobile society. In this mobilesociety, the ways by which we work, socialize, and engage in commercehave shifted significantly and the lines that traditionally dividedthese activities have blurred. For example, devices such as the cellularphone, Blackberry™, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and laptopcomputer have closed geographical barriers to enable users to learn,work, socialize, shop, and play from virtually any location and at anytime. Moreover, such devices are increasingly being integrated, enablingeven greater utility and portability to conduct such activities.

Companies are seeking to profit from this mobility shift at anincreasing rate. In its infancy, insightful companies utilized theInternet to provide consumers with the electronic equivalence to thebrochure. Soon thereafter, the Internet was used to not only showcase acompany's goods and/or services, but to provide ways for the consumer toconveniently purchase products and services without leaving the home oroffice. Accordingly, a consumer with a personal computer and access toan Internet connection could shop and purchase items online frommerchants all over the world. As geographical constraints are lifted byadvancing computing and wireless technologies, merchants are again facedwith determining how to benefit from this rapid technological evolution.

The benefit of the integration of computing, telephone, and Internettechnologies into single wireless or handheld devices has not been fullyrealized. For example, while it is now possible to access the World WideWeb by way of a cell phone, most users have found it difficult orundesirable to navigate and interact with web pages by way of the verysmall LCD screens and limited functional controls provided by the cellphone. As such, most consumers still rely significantly on standardpersonal computers while utilizing smaller devices as portableextensions to larger computing devices. Text messaging, for example,enables mobile users to stay connected to others in a manner that waspreviously only available through instant messaging tools at a personalcomputer (e.g., AOL Instant Messenger™, Google Talk™, ICQ™, Jabber™, andYahoo! Messenger™)

In order to capitalize on the growing market of mobile consumers, thereis a need to enable these consumers to conveniently participate incommerce transactions without requiring them to be at a personalcomputer. Moreover, there is a need to provide consumers with thebenefit of participating in special sale promotions using only theirtext message equipped wireless device. Such a system would provide abenefit to consumers, promotion sponsors, and merchants in that it opensan additional medium for facilitating commerce outside cumbersomecomputing devices traditionally used to facilitate online purchases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a system and method for providing mobile commerceto consumers through a wireless communications device such as, forexample, a cellular telephone. The system includes a web site enablingconsumers to register to participate in mobile commerce. Registrationincludes entering personal information, payment information, and anaccess number for the consumer's wireless communications device.Further, the consumer may select from a variety of promotional items(e.g., products and/or services) that she is interested in purchasing.On approval, the system sends a text message to the consumer's wirelesscommunications device confirming registration and alerting the consumerof upcoming purchasing opportunities. In response, the consumer may senda text message to the system to opt-in for eligibility to participate inthe upcoming purchasing opportunities.

The system determines when to activate special promotions and sends atext message alert to all consumers that opted-in for a promotion and aspecific promotional item. At the time that the promotional item is madeavailable for purchase, qualified participants may communicate theirdesire to purchase the promotional item by sending a text message to thesystem. When the text message is received, it is validated to determinewhether the text message was received from a wireless communicationsdevice belonging to a pre-registered participant. When there isavailable inventory of promotional items, the system sends a textmessage back to the consumer indicating the outcome of the promotion(e.g., “YOU GOT IT”, “SORRY, SOLD OUT”, “IT'S TOO EARLY”, etc.). Anaccount of a purchasing participant is debited in the amount of thepromotional item purchase price (less the value of any loyalty pointsused), and the participant is sent a confirmation email includingpurchase details. When inventory is allocated to a qualified consumer, apromotions representative contacts the qualified consumer and confirmsthe intent to purchase. In one embodiment, confirmation includes thecollection of full payment details (e.g., credit card, debit card,reward point account, etc.). Following confirmation, the purchase isconsummated.

In one embodiment, the system enables participating consumers to competewithin special promotions that include a limited quantity of items atspecial reduced prices. Accordingly, purchase opportunities are awardedto consumers on a first-come, first-serve basis. For example, theadministrator of the system may choose to offer a purchasing opportunitycomprising five $3,000 vacation packages at a greatly discounted price.Thus, each of the first five consumer participants to text “I WANT” tothe system may be awarded the opportunity to purchase one of thevacation packages for $500.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar elements throughout the Figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the major system components foran exemplary system for proving mobile commerce to participants,according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and,

FIG. 2A-2C is a process flow diagram showing exemplary steps forfacilitating a sales promotion and enabling participation through ahandheld wireless communication device, according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventionherein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show theexemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. Whilethese exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should beunderstood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical andmechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein ispresented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.Moreover, any of the functions or steps may be outsourced to orperformed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference tosingular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than onecomponent may include a singular embodiment.

For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking, applicationdevelopment and other functional aspects of the systems (and componentsof the individual operating components of the systems) may not bedescribed in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown inthe various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplaryfunctional relationships and/or physical couplings between the variouselements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships or physical connections may be present in apractical system.

In general, the invention includes a system and method for enablingconsumers to engage in commerce transactions through the use of awireless communications device. As used herein, “wireless device” orsimilar terms may include any device configured to facilitate theexchange of information over a wireless network. The invention alsocontemplates that the “wireless network” may include some wiredportions. While in one embodiment, the wireless device comprises acellular telephone operating over a cellular network, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the invention contemplates other types ofwireless devices including, for example, a satellite telephone, acordless telephone, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA),Blackberry, Global Positioning System device (GPS), and any similardevice presently known or known in the future.

With reference to FIG. 1, system 100 facilitates interaction between auser 100 and the M-Commerce System (MCS) 110 through, in one embodiment,a web client 105 with a network connection to a web server 120 andthrough a wireless device 165 with a wireless connection to a messaginggateway 150. Web server 120 may employ an authentication server 125 inorder to validate and assign proper permissions to authorized users ofMCS 110. User database 130 stores user credentials and permissionsspecific to each user. Web server 120 also employs an application server135 to manage various applications and utilities that are utilized bythe MCS 110. In one embodiment, the M-Commerce Management System (MCMS)155 is invoked by application server 135 to query m-commerce (m-com)database 145, retrieve data, and perform complex calculations and dataformatting for presentation to user 100 and/or any other designatedthird-party. M-com database 145 maintains data pertaining to promotionsincluding product descriptions, prices, inventories, promotionschedules, promotion participants, promotion histories, and the like. Inone embodiment, application server 135 may interface with a reportengine (not shown) to create pre-configured and/or ad-hoc reportsrepresenting any data elements detailed herein.

In addition to the components described above, MCS 110 may furtherinclude one or more of the following: a host server or other computingsystems including a processor for processing digital data; a memorycoupled to the processor for storing digital data; an input digitizercoupled to the processor for inputting digital data; an applicationprogram stored in the memory and accessible by the processor fordirecting processing of digital data by the processor; a display devicecoupled to the processor and memory for displaying information derivedfrom digital data processed by the processor; and a plurality ofdatabases. Various databases used herein may include: user database 130,m-com database 145, as well as any number of other databases, bothinternal and external to MCS system 110 useful in the operation of theinvention as disclosed.

As used herein, the term “network” shall include any electroniccommunications means which incorporates both hardware and softwarecomponents of such. Communication among the parties may be accomplishedthrough any suitable communication channels, such as, for example, atelephone network, an extranet, an intranet, Internet, point ofinteraction device (point of sale device, personal digital assistant(e.g., Palm Pilot®, Blackberry®), cellular phone, kiosk, etc.), onlinecommunications, satellite communications, off-line communications,wireless communications, transponder communications, local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), networked or linked devices, keyboard,mouse and/or any suitable communication or data input modality.Moreover, although the system is frequently described herein as beingimplemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, the system may also beimplemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI or any number ofexisting or future protocols. If the network is in the nature of apublic network, such as the Internet, it may be advantageous to presumethe network to be insecure and open to eavesdroppers. Specificinformation related to the protocols, standards, and applicationsoftware utilized in connection with the Internet is generally known tothose skilled in the art and, as such, need not be detailed herein. See,for example, Dilip Naik, Internet Standards and Protocols (1998); Java 2Complete, various authors, (Sybex 1999); Deborah Ray and Eric Ray,Mastering HTML 4.0 (1997); and Loshin, TCP/IP Clearly Explained (1997)and David Gourley and Brian Totty, HTTP, The Definitive Guide (2002),the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The various system components may be independently, separately orcollectively suitably coupled to the network via data links whichincludes, for example, a connection to an Internet Service Provider(ISP) over the local loop as is typically used in connection withstandard modem communication, cable modem, Dish networks, ISDN, DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL), or various wireless communication methods, see,e.g., Gilbert Held, Understanding Data Communications (1996), which ishereby incorporated by reference. It is noted that the network may beimplemented as other types of networks, such as an interactivetelevision (ITV) network. Moreover, the system contemplates the use,sale or distribution of any goods, services or information over anynetwork having similar functionality described herein.

In one embodiment, MCMS 155, or any other MCS 110 component, mayinteract with any number of additional computing systems and databasesin order to facilitate, for example, billings, accounting, shipping, andthe like. Computing systems and databases residing outside of MCS 110may be administered by a mobile commerce provider or any other thirdparty entity directly or indirectly involved in facilitating thedisclosed system. Such third party entities may include cellular serviceproviders, credit account issuers, merchants, automated clearing houses(ACH), shipping companies, and the like.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, theinvention may be embodied as a customization of an existing system, anadd-on product, upgraded software, a standalone system (e.g., kiosk), adistributed system, a method, a data processing system, a device fordata processing, and/or a computer program product. Accordingly, theinvention may take the form of an entirely software embodiment, anentirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining aspects of bothsoftware and hardware. Furthermore, the invention may take the form of acomputer program product on a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-readable program code means embodied in the storage medium. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized, includinghard disks, CD-ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices,and/or the like.

User 100 may include any individual, business, entity, governmentorganization, software and/or hardware which interact with MCS 110 toregister with and participate in the disclosed mobile commerceactivities. User 100 may be, for example, a consumer who accesses website 140 to register for participation in future special promotions.Moreover, user 100 may access messaging gateway 150 to opt-in forparticular promotions and/or express a desire to purchase a promotionalitem. In another example, user 100 may be an administrator who interactswith various MCS 110 components to manage one or more promotions throughthe addition, deletion, and/or modification of data stored in m-comdatabase 145 and/or user database 130. In one embodiment, MCS 110 mayprovide limited or restricted access for certain people or groups, suchas, for example, customers, employees, or any other third party with aninterest in managing and participating in mobile commerce activities.User 100 may interface with MCS 110 via any communications protocol,device or method discussed herein or known in the art. In oneembodiment, user 100 may interact with the invention via an Internetbrowser at a web client 105 and/or wireless device 165 via textmessaging.

Web client 105 may comprise any hardware and/or software suitablyconfigured to facilitate input, receipt and/or review of any informationrelated to MCS 110 or any information discussed herein. Web client 105may include any device (e.g., personal computer), which communicates (inany manner discussed herein) with the invention via any networkdiscussed herein. Such browser applications comprise Internet browsingsoftware installed within a computing unit or system to conduct onlinetransactions and communications. These computing units or systems maytake the form of a computer or set of computers, although other types ofcomputing units or systems may be used, including laptops, notebooks,hand held computers, set-top boxes, workstations, computer-servers, mainframe computers, mini-computers, PC servers, pervasive computers,network sets of computers, and/or the like. Practitioners willappreciate that web client 105 may or may not be in direct contact withthe MCS 110. For example, web client 105 may access the services of theMCS 110 through another server, which may have a direct or indirectconnection to web server 120.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, web client 105 may includean operating system (e.g., WINDOWS NT, 95/98/2000/Vista, OS2, UNIX,LINUX, SOLARIS, MAC OS, etc.) as well as various conventional supportsoftware and drivers typically associated with computers. The web client105 may include any suitable personal computer, network computer,workstation, minicomputer, mainframe or the like. Web client 105 can bein a home or business environment with access to a network. In anexemplary embodiment, access is through a network or the Internetthrough a commercially available web-browser software package.

Web client 105 may be independently, separately or collectively suitablycoupled to the network via data links which includes, for example, aconnection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) as is typically used inconnection with standard modem communication, cable modem, Dishnetworks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or various wirelesscommunication methods, see, e.g., GILBERT HELD, UNDERSTANDING DATACOMMUNICATIONS (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference. It isnoted that the network may be implemented as other types of networks,such as an interactive television (ITV) network. Moreover, the systemcontemplates the use, sale or distribution of any goods, services orinformation over any network having similar functionality describedherein.

The invention contemplates uses in association with web services,utility computing, pervasive and individualized computing, security andidentity solutions, autonomic computing, commodity computing, mobilityand wireless solutions, open source, service oriented architecture,biometrics, grid computing and/or mesh computing.

Web server 120 may include any hardware and/or software suitablyconfigured to facilitate communications between web client 105 and oneor more MCS 110 components. Further, web server 120 may be configured totransmit data to web client 105 within markup language documents. Webserver 120 may operate as a single entity in a single geographiclocation or as separate computing components located together or inseparate geographic locations. Requests originating from client browser105 may pass through a firewall 115 before being received and processedat web server 120. As used herein, “transmit” may include sendingelectronic data from one system component to another over a networkconnection. Additionally, as used herein, “data” may includeencompassing information such as commands, queries, files, data forstorage, and the like in digital or any other form. Web server 120 mayprovide a suitable web site or other Internet-based graphical userinterface which is accessible by users 100, administrators, promotionsponsors, or any other authorized third party. In one embodiment, theMicrosoft Internet Information Server (IIS), Microsoft TransactionServer (MTS), and Microsoft SQL Server, are used in conjunction with theMicrosoft operating system, Microsoft NT web server software, aMicrosoft SQL Server database system, and a Microsoft Commerce Server.Additionally, components such as Access or Microsoft SQL Server, ORACLE,SYBASE, INFORMIX MySQL, InterBase, etc., may be used to provide anActive Data Object (ADO) compliant database management system.

Any of the communications, inputs, storage, databases or displaysdiscussed herein may be facilitated through a web site having web pages.The term “web page” as it is used herein is not meant to limit the typeof documents and applications that might be used to interact with theuser. For example, a typical web site might include, in addition tostandard HTML documents, various forms, Java applets, JavaScript, activeserver pages (ASP), common gateway interface scripts (CGI), extensiblemarkup language (XML), dynamic HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS),helper applications, plug-ins, and the like. A server may include a webservice that receives a request from a web server, the request includinga URL (http://yahoo.com/stockquotes/ge) and an IP address(123.56.789.98). The web server retrieves the appropriate web pages andsends the data or applications for the web pages to the IP address. Webservices are applications that are capable of interacting with otherapplications over a communications means, such as the Internet. Webservices are typically based on standards or protocols such as XML,SOAP, WSDL and UDDI. Web services methods are well known in the art, andare covered in many standard texts. See, e.g., ALEX NGHIEM, IT WEBSERVICES: A ROADMAP FOR THE ENTERPRISE (2003), hereby incorporated byreference.

In one embodiment, firewall 115 comprises any hardware and/or softwaresuitably configured to protect MCS 110 components from users of othernetworks. Firewall 115 may reside in varying configurations includingStateful Inspection, Proxy based and Packet Filtering among others.Firewall 115 may be integrated as software within web server 120, anyother system component or may reside within another computing device ormay take the form of a standalone hardware component.

In one embodiment, applications server 135 includes any hardware and/orsoftware suitably configured to serve applications and data to aconnected web client 105. Like web server 120, applications server 135may communicate with any number of other servers, databases and/orcomponents through any means discussed herein or known in the art.Further, applications server 135 may serve as a conduit between webclient 105 and MCMS 155. Web server 120 may interface with applicationsserver 135 through any means discussed herein or known in the artincluding a LAN/WAN, for example. Application server 135 may furtherinteract with authentication server 125, messaging gateway 150, m-comdatabase 145, user database 130, or any other MCS 110 component inresponse to a user 100 request.

To control access to web server 120 or any other component of theinvention, web server 120 may invoke authentication server 125 inresponse to submission of user 100 authentication credentials receivedat web server 120. In one embodiment, authentication server 125 includesany hardware and/or software suitably configured to receiveauthentication credentials, encrypt and decrypt credentials,authenticate credentials, and grant access rights according to user 100pre-defined privileges attached to the credentials. Authenticationserver 125 may grant varying degrees of application and data levelaccess to user 100 based on user information stored within user database130. In one embodiment, authentication server 125 may be accessed byMCMS 155 in order to validate signals received by messaging gateway 150from cellular network 160.

As used herein, cellular network 160 may comprise any number ofcomputing systems, relays, switches, radio towers, and satellites inorder to provide wireless communications between any number ofsubscribing members. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that suchsystems are well known, and variations and advancements to theunderlying technologies do not limit the scope of the invention. Theinvention contemplates that such networks may include, for example, landbased RF transponders and satellites in low earth orbit to provide voiceand data transmissions between a number of both stationary and portabledevices.

In one embodiment, user database 130 includes any hardware and/orsoftware suitably configured to facilitate storing authentication and/orprivilege information relating to users 100. M-com database 145 storesdata relating to product information, promotion participation,transactional histories, promotion schedules, as well as any otherrelated information as disclosed herein. One skilled in the art willappreciate that the invention may employ any number of databases in anynumber of configurations. For example, a database may be employed tostore functions and/or parameters that are used by MCMS 155 to determineuser eligibility to participate in a promotion. Further, any databasesdiscussed herein may be any type of database, such as relational,hierarchical, graphical, object-oriented, and/or other databaseconfigurations. Common database products that may be used to implementthe databases include DB2 by IBM (White Plains, N.Y.), various databaseproducts available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, Calif.),Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server by Microsoft Corporation(Redmond, Wash.), or any other suitable database product. Moreover, thedatabases may be organized in any suitable manner, for example, as datatables or lookup tables. Each record may be a single file, a series offiles, a linked series of data fields or any other data structure.Association of certain data may be accomplished through any desired dataassociation technique such as those known or practiced in the art. Forexample, the association may be accomplished either manually orautomatically. Automatic association techniques may include, forexample, a database search, a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL, using akey field in the tables to speed searches, sequential searches throughall the tables and files, sorting records in the file according to aknown order to simplify lookup, and/or the like. The association stepmay be accomplished by a database merge function, for example, using a“key field” in pre-selected databases or data sectors.

More particularly, a “key field” partitions the database according tothe high-level class of objects defined by the key field. For example,certain types of data may be designated as a key field in a plurality ofrelated data tables and the data tables may then be linked on the basisof the type of data in the key field. The data corresponding to the keyfield in each of the linked data tables is preferably the same or of thesame type. However, data tables having similar, though not identical,data in the key fields may also be linked by using AGREP, for example.In accordance with one aspect of the invention, any suitable datastorage technique may be utilized to store data without a standardformat. Data sets may be stored using any suitable technique, including,for example, storing individual files using an ISO/IEC 7816-4 filestructure; implementing a domain whereby a dedicated file is selectedthat exposes one or more elementary files containing one or more datasets; using data sets stored in individual files using a hierarchicalfiling system; data sets stored as records in a single file (includingcompression, SQL accessible, hashed via one or more keys, numeric,alphabetical by first tuple, etc.); Binary Large Object (BLOB); storedas ungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC 7816-6 data elements;stored as ungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC Abstract SyntaxNotation (ASN.1) as in ISO/IEC 8824 and 8825; and/or other proprietarytechniques that may include fractal compression methods, imagecompression methods, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ability to store a wide variety ofinformation in different formats is facilitated by storing theinformation as a BLOB. Thus, any binary information can be stored in astorage space associated with a data set. As discussed above, the binaryinformation may be stored on the financial transaction instrument orexternal to but affiliated with the financial transaction instrument.The BLOB method may store data sets as ungrouped data elements formattedas a block of binary via a fixed memory offset using either fixedstorage allocation, circular queue techniques, or best practices withrespect to memory management (e.g., paged memory, least recently used,etc.). By using BLOB methods, the ability to store various data setsthat have different formats facilitates the storage of data associatedwith the invention by multiple and unrelated owners of the data sets.For example, a first data set which may be stored may be provided by afirst party, a second data set which may be stored may be provided by anunrelated second party, and yet a third data set which may be stored,may be provided by an third party unrelated to the first and secondparty. Each of these three exemplary data sets may contain differentinformation that is stored using different data storage formats and/ortechniques. Further, each data set may contain subsets of data that alsomay be distinct from other subsets.

As stated above, in various embodiments of the invention, the data canbe stored without regard to a common format. However, in one exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the data set (e.g., BLOB) may be annotatedin a standard manner when provided for manipulating the data onto thefinancial transaction instrument. The annotation may comprise a shortheader, trailer, or other appropriate indicator related to each data setthat is configured to convey information useful in managing the variousdata sets. For example, the annotation may be called a “conditionheader”, “header”, “trailer”, or “status”, herein, and may comprise anindication of the status of the data set or may include an identifiercorrelated to a specific issuer or owner of the data. In one example,the first three bytes of each data set BLOB may be configured orconfigurable to indicate the status of that particular data set; e.g.,LOADED, INITIALIZED, READY, BLOCKED, REMOVABLE, or DELETED. Subsequentbytes of data may be used to indicate for example, the identity of theissuer, user, transaction/membership account identifier or the like.Each of these condition annotations are further discussed herein.

The data set annotation may also be used for other types of statusinformation as well as various other purposes. For example, the data setannotation may include security information establishing access levels.The access levels may, for example, be configured to permit only certainindividuals, levels of employees, companies, or other entities to accessdata sets, or to permit access to specific data sets based on thetransaction, merchant, issuer, user or the like. Furthermore, thesecurity information may restrict/permit only certain actions such asaccessing, modifying, and/or deleting data sets. In one example, thedata set annotation indicates that only the data set owner or the userare permitted to delete a data set, various identified users may bepermitted to access the data set for reading, and others are altogetherexcluded from accessing the data set. However, other access restrictionparameters may also be used allowing various entities to access a dataset with various permission levels as appropriate.

The data, including the header or trailer may be received by astandalone interaction device configured to create, update, delete oraugment the data in accordance with the header or trailer. As such, inone embodiment, the header or trailer is not stored on the transactiondevice along with the associated issuer-owned data but instead theappropriate action may be taken by providing to the transactioninstrument user at the standalone device, the appropriate option for theaction to be taken. The invention may contemplate a data storagearrangement wherein the header or trailer, or header or trailer history,of the data is stored on the transaction instrument in relation to theappropriate data.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for security reasons,any databases, systems, devices, servers or other components of theinvention may consist of any combination thereof at a single location orat multiple locations, wherein each database or system includes any ofvarious suitable security features, such as firewalls, access codes,encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, and/or the like.

The invention may be described herein in terms of functional blockcomponents, screen shots, optional selections and various processingsteps. It should be appreciated that such functional blocks may berealized by any number of hardware and/or software components configuredto perform the specified functions. For example, the invention mayemploy various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements,processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, whichmay carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the softwareelements of the invention may be implemented with any programming orscripting language such as C, C++, JAVA, COBOL, assembler, PERL, VisualBasic, SQL Stored Procedures, extensible markup language (XML), with thevarious algorithms being implemented with any combination of datastructures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements.Further, it should be noted that the invention may employ any number ofconventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, dataprocessing, network control, and the like. Still further, the inventioncould be used to detect or prevent security issues with a client-sidescripting language, such as JavaScript, VBScript or the like. For abasic introduction of cryptography and network security, see any of thefollowing references: (1) “Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms,And Source Code In C,” by Bruce Schneier, published by John Wiley & Sons(second edition, 1995); (2) “Java Cryptography” by Jonathan Knudson,published by O'Reilly & Associates (1998); (3) “Cryptography & NetworkSecurity: Principles & Practice” by William Stallings, published byPrentice Hall; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The software elements of the present invention may be loaded onto ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus create means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer programinstructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that candirect a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus tofunction in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstruction means which implement the function specified in theflowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatusto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computeror other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implementedprocess such that the instructions which execute on the computer orother programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing thefunctions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations support combinations of means for performing the specifiedfunctions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions,and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. Itwill also be understood that each functional block of the block diagramsand flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks inthe block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented byeither special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform thespecified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of specialpurpose hardware and computer instructions. Further, illustrations ofthe process flows and the descriptions thereof may make reference touser windows, web pages, web sites, web forms, prompts, etc.Practitioners will appreciate that the illustrated steps describedherein may comprise in any number of configurations including the use ofwindows, web pages, web forms, popup windows, prompts, text messages,and the like. It should be further appreciated that the multiple stepsas illustrated and described may be combined into single web pagesand/or wireless device 165 interfaces but have been expanded for thesake of simplicity. In other cases, steps illustrated and described assingle process steps may be separated into multiple web pages and/orwireless device 165 interfaces but have been combined for simplicity.

Referring now to the figures, the block system diagram and process flowdiagram represent mere embodiments of the invention and are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention as described herein. For example,the steps recited in FIGS. 2A-2C may be executed in any order and arenot limited to the order presented. It will be appreciated that thefollowing description makes appropriate references not only to the stepsdepicted in FIGS. 2A-2C, but also to the various system components asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a user wishing to purchase one or more itemsaccording to the disclosed mobile commerce system, may initiate aregistration process. The registration process provides MCS 110 withinformation required to identify the user, facilitate communicationswith the user, and ensure prompt and accurate payment for items “won” bythe user. As used herein, various forms of the term “awarded”,“qualified” or “won” are indicative of one or more users' successful bidto purchase an item offered as a promotion. In one embodiment, thepromotion sponsor configures a promotion with a limited number of itemsat a significantly reduced price. Thus, many users may desire topurchase a promotional item; however, limited few will be selected toconduct the purchase transaction. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that while specific methodologies for selecting winners aredisclosed herein, the invention contemplates additional factors that maycontribute to the selection of winners. Such factors may include, forexample, high bids, low bids, user status, history of the opportunity topurchase or being qualified to purchase an item, losing history, historywith the sponsor or host, user seniority, number of loyalty pointsearned by the user, number of previous wins, user location, creditaccount status, credit account balance, and/or the like.

To initiate mobile commerce registration, user 100 may interact with webclient 105 to access a website of a promotion sponsor (step 202). Apromotion sponsor may be a credit, charge or other transaction accountissuer, merchant, consortium of merchants, government entity, charitableorganization, or any other party interested in offering specialpromotions to build loyalty, product/service awareness, increaseprofits, or the like. For example, American Express may offer specialpromotions at various intervals to its card members in order to enticeprospective card members to apply for an American Express card.

To register for participation in mobile commerce, MCS 110 may requestuser 100 to enter information such as personal information, wirelessdevice information, and information pertaining to a payment instrument(step 204). Personal information may include, for example, the user'sfirst and last name, street address, city, state, postal code, shippingaddress, email address, photograph, biometric, etc. A wireless accessnumber may comprise a cellular telephone number or any other number orcode used to establish voice and/or data communication with the user'swireless device 165. Payment instrument information may include, forexample, a credit card type, credit card number, expiration date,security code, and the like. Requested registration information may beentered into a web form, that when completed, is transmitted to MCS 110for validation (step 206).

Validation includes, for example, verifying that all required formfields have been entered, determining whether the user is eligible toparticipate in mobile commerce, and determining whether an account ofthe payment instrument is valid and is in good standing. In oneembodiment, promotions may have a very limited number of items for salethat may sell-out very quickly. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat many consumers are often willing to express an interest to purchasean item, yet for a variety of reasons, do not follow through with thepurchase transaction. For example, a consumer may call a merchant toinquire about a particular product. The merchant may confirm that theproduct is in inventory, but is expected to be a sell-out. Somemerchants will agree to hold the product for the inquiring consumer,only to find that the customer does not follow through with thepurchase. As a result, the merchant may be left with unsold inventory.

To ensure that the user follows through with an awarded purchase, MCS110 is configured to process payment for an item at the time thepurchase is awarded. Therefore, user 100 is pre-approved to participatein mobile commerce transactions based, at least in part, on the paymentinstrument information entered at step 204. Moreover, this minimizes theinteraction between user 100 and MCS 110. For example, user 100 is notrequired to establish a secured connection with MCS 110 following beingawarded a purchase in order to enter credit card information.

If, for any reason, the registration information is found invalid (step208), MCS 110 may direct user 100 back to the registration form tocorrect errors or select an alternative payment instrument. In the casethat MCS 110 determines that user 100 is not qualified to participate inmobile commerce, the system may alert the user in real time within theregistration form interface, via email, text message, or by any othermeans known in the art. In one embodiment, the alert may provide areason for denial along with information pertaining to how the user 100may become qualified. This may be useful if, for example, the promotionsponsor is a credit card issuer and user 100 does not posses an accountwith the issuer. Under this scenario, the alert may provide user 100with a link to apply for a credit card account with the sponsoringissuer in order to become eligible to participate in mobile commercetransactions.

If registration information for user 100 is validated (step 208), MCS110 stores the information (step 210) within appropriate tables of userdatabase 130 and m-com database 145. For example, the user may have beenprompted to select a user ID and password to access MCS 110 system. Theselected user ID and password may be encrypted and stored in the userdatabase 130 for subsequent authorized access. In one embodiment, MCS110 stores transaction instrument information and the wireless deviceinformation in m-com database 145. However, those of ordinary skillwould appreciate that that registration information may be stored in anynumber of configurations and within any number of databases and databasetables.

In one embodiment (not shown), user 100 may connect to MCS 110 throughweb client 105 to set preferences. Preferences may include, for examplea class of items that user 100 would be interested in purchasing (i.e.,a wish list), a price range that user 100 would be willing to buyspecified items at, a time frame for a desired purchase, and the like.User 100 preferences may be stored along with user information in userdatabase 130 or in m-com database and later used by MCS 110 foranalysis. Such analysis may provide, for example, insight into the typesof items most frequently requested, a price threshold for specificproducts, and when to offer such products within promotions. Moreover, asubset of registered users for which to extend an invitation toparticipate in a promotion may be selected based on the preferences.

At a scheduled time, MCS 110 generates a text message announcing detailsregarding an upcoming offer for sale and transmits the message to thewireless device 165 of each registered user (step 212). An “offer forsale,” or similar terminology used herein, may include a future offer, apreviously scheduled offer, an offer generated at random time intervals,a rental offer, a lease offer, an offer to share information, an offerto barter, offer to earn or redeem loyalty points, and/or any other itemwhich may be offered. A “purchase transaction”, or similar terminologyused herein, may include a sale, rental, lease, loyalty pointredemption, a way to earn loyalty points, and/or any agreement to enterinto any other type of transaction. Registered users wishing toparticipate for an opportunity to purchase a promotional item may sendan opt-in text message (step 214) from their wireless device 165 to MCS110. According to one embodiment, the text message comprises a code or aset of words that are indicative of the user's desire to purchase theitem. For example, after receiving the promotion announcement at thewireless device 165, the user may simply send a blank response to thetext message announcement, which is sent to a specified telephonenumber. On receiving the text message, messaging gateway 150 passes themessage to MCMS 155 for processing, where MCMS 155 registers the user(step 216) within m-com database 145.

In one embodiment, MCMS 155 registers the user by retrieving user datafrom user database 130 corresponding to the identity of the user'swireless device 165. MCMS 155 then creates a record in m-com database145 and populates the record from the user data. In another embodiment,MCMS 155 invokes a form-fill utility, which uses data from user database130 to automatically fill an online web form on web server 120. Forexample, web server 120 may currently provide a web form to PC-basedInternet users to complete in order to opt-in for a promotion. Thisexisting form (or a similar form) may be automatically populated onbehalf of a user as a result of a user opting-in to a promotion by wayof a simple text message from a wireless device 165. For moreinformation on automatic form-filling, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,601,filed on Jan. 15, 1999, and entitled “Server for Enabling the AutomaticInsertion of Data into Electronic Forms on a User Computer,” which ishereby incorporated by reference.

MCS 110 is activated and promotional items are selected and scheduledfor sale (step 218). When it is time for a scheduled promotion to begin,MCS 110, by way of messaging gateway 150 generates and sends a textmessage to all users who had previously opted-in for the specificpromotion informing users that the item is now available for sale (step220). In one embodiment, the message serves only as a reminder when anopted-in user is made aware of the precise timing of the promotionduring step 214. However, in another embodiment, the user is given noprior notice as to when the promotion will occur, thus the text messageserves as an announcement.

If user 100 who is opted-in for the specific promotion wishes topurchase the promotional item, then user 100 generates and sends a textmessage to MCS 110 that is indicative of a desire to purchase the item(step 222). As used herein, a text message that is indicative of adesire to purchase an item may be a binding or non-binding acceptance,reservation, agreement, wish, desire, or any other interest inpurchasing the promotional item. The text message may be of anypredefined format, or simply comprise the user ID selected duringinitial registration. In one embodiment, user 100 enters the shortphrase, “I WANT” and sends the text message to MCS 110. In anotherembodiment, user 100 may enter the short phrase, “RESERVE” and sends thetext message to MCS 110 in order to indicate that user 100 would like toreserve an item in inventory for later purchase.

When the text message indicative of the user's desire to purchase thepromotional item is received at MCS 110, MCMS 155 validates the accessnumber (step 224) of the wireless device 165 against numbers stored ineither m-com database 145 or user database 130. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that any means known in the art for determining awireless device access number may be employed in order to ensure thatthe text message is received from a registered user. For example, asimple caller ID device may be used to determine the number for theoriginator of a text message. Moreover, MCS 110 verifies that the textmessage was received from a qualifying wireless device 165. If the textmessage originated from a registered user, yet the user did not opt-infor the specific promotion, then the user is disqualified and MCS 110sends user's wireless device 165 a text message informing the user thatthe wireless device is not registered (step 226). Because many peoplenow carry more than one wireless device 165, such a message may resultfrom the user's inadvertent attempt to indicate a desire to purchase theitem over the wrong wireless device 165. For example, user 100 mayregister for mobile commerce using both the phone number for the user'sbusiness cell phone and personal cell phone. Later, the user may use abusiness cell phone to opt-in for a particular promotion. However, whensending a text message indicating a desire to purchase a promotionalitem, the user may use a personal cell phone, thereby prompting thesystem to determine that the user is not eligible for the promotion.However, this problem may be alleviated by only sending promotionannouncements to those registered users that opted in. In anotherembodiment, the system may recognize the second cell phone number asbelonging to the same owner of the first cell phone number, according toinformation that is provided during initial registration.

If an incoming text message indicative of a desire to purchase aspecific promotional item is validated (step 224), then MCS 110determines whether the message was received prior to the start of thepromotion (step 228). If the incoming text message indicative of adesire to purchase a specific promotional item is not received at theappropriate time (e.g., too early), then MCS 110 sends user 100 a textmessage indicating that the user's request is too early (step 230). Inone embodiment, the system may query historical transaction records inm-com database 145 to determine if the owner of the originating wirelessdevice access number has been previously awarded the opportunity topurchase the specific item in the current promotion. This may be usefulin preventing a single registered user from being allotted more than oneof the promotional items in order to maintain fairness among all userswho opted-in. In another embodiment, the user is disqualified from beingawarded an opportunity to purchase the same item, albeit a differentpromotion.

To determine whether there is a remaining inventory of the promotionalitem, MCS 110 queries m-com database 145, which reduces the inventoryeach time a winner is determined. If inventory is not available (step232), then MCS 110 sends user 100 a text message indicating that thepromotional item is sold out (step 233). As previously noted, thepresent invention may award promotional items based on the first textmessages received from users until the inventory is depleted. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of secondaryconsiderations may influence which users are awarded the purchase of apromotional item. For example, those who have participated in a greaternumber of promotions may be given priority. In one embodiment, acombination of factors may determine who is awarded a purchase of apromotional item. For example, the invention contemplates a weightingscheme whereby varying factors are attributed varying weights. Thus,when a text message indicative of a desire to purchase a promotionalitem is received, MCS 110 calculates an overall score based on a definedset of factors to determine an overall score. Based on the score, theuser may be awarded the purchase of the promotional item, or declined.

In one embodiment, a promotion may not be so limiting. In situationswere a very large inventory of promotional items is available, the MCS110 may continue to allow any registered user to purchase the item untileither demand is fulfilled or the inventory is depleted. In anotherembodiment, MCS 110 may make available promotional items over apredetermined amount of time, wherein any registered user may secure theitem through a purchase initiated through a text message indicative of adesire to purchase. For example, a promotion sponsor may choose to makeavailable its entire inventory of toys over a period spanning fromNovember 30 to December 24. MCS 110 generates and sends a text messageannouncing the promotion, whereby any registered user may respond bysending an “I WANT” text message back to MCS 110 to secure the purchase.

If all, or any subset of, the above conditions are not met (steps 224,228, 232), then the user is not afforded a qualified slot (step 234) andMCS 110 generates and transmits a text message to wireless device 165alerting user 100 that he will not be awarded the opportunity topurchase the promotional item (step 230). In one embodiment, the messagemay be accompanied by a secondary offer. For example, if user 100 wasnot awarded the opportunity to purchase a Sony laptop computer, then MCS110 may advise user of an upcoming promotion for the purchase of a Delllaptop computer.

When all, or any subset of, the above conditions are satisfactorily met(steps 224, 228, 232), MCS 110 assigns the user to a qualifying slot(step 234) and MCS 110 generates and sends a text message to thequalified user(s), which includes purchase details (step 236). In oneembodiment, MCS 110 also sends a similar message to the user's emailaccount that was provided during initial registration. Such purchasedetails may include, for example, a description of the purchased item,purchase price, and acquisition instructions. For example, MCS 110 maygenerate the following text message for transmission to the wirelessdevice 165 of a qualified user:

YOU GOT IT!

ITEM: SONY 36′ FLAT SCREEN TV

PRICE: $60.00

PLEASE CALL (444)444-4444 TO CLAIM

In one embodiment, the text message may further, or alternatively,instruct user 100 to check their email account or select a link fordetailed instruction regarding their opportunity to purchase thepromotional item. In another embodiment, the user 100 may be instructedthat they will receive a call from a customer service representative todiscuss details of the opportunity to purchase and provide furtherinstructions regarding acquisition of the purchased item.

When a promotional item is awarded for purchase, MCS 110 sends purchasedetails over a payment network to a card management system (step 240)for processing. Thus, when a determination of an opportunity to purchaseis made, MCS 110 may route the transaction through a merchant Point ofSale (POS) device as is standard in the art. Further, MCS 110 may sendpurchase details to a fulfillment system in order to ship the item tothe user (step 242). In another embodiment, the user 100 may beinstructed as to where he may physically take possession of the item.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that MCS 110 may invoke and/orfacilitate any number of additional steps as required according to theparticular configuration. For example, MCS 110 may be administeredthrough a third party entity to provide the functionality describedabove for any number of merchants. Thus, MCS 110 may further providepurchase details to the merchant offering the promotional item for sale.Under this embodiment, MCS 110 may route purchase transaction details tothe merchant for processing through the merchant's POS system.

The invention contemplates other embodiments including the redemption ofloyalty points for promotional items. Moreover, loyalty points may beissued to user's upon being awarded the opportunity to purchase apromotional item. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the invention may be combined with any number of known commerce orloyalty systems to augment and/or expand the utility of the presentinvention. For example, the invention may be combined with an onlineauction system or any other commerce system to expand on thecapabilities disclosed herein.

While the steps outlined above represent a specific embodiment of theinvention, practitioners will appreciate that there are any number ofcomputing algorithms and user interfaces that may be applied to createsimilar results. The steps are presented for the sake of explanationonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in anyway.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of the invention. The scope of the invention isaccordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, inwhich reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to ‘at least one of A, B, and C’is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted tomean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may bepresent in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, orthat any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in asingle embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and Band C. All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to theelements of the above-described exemplary embodiments that are known tothose of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein byreference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.Further, a list of elements does not include only those elements but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, article, or apparatus.

1. A computer-implemented method comprising: issuing, by a computerbased system for facilitating a purchase of an item, pre-approval statusto a user in response to receiving an account code associated with atransaction account and in response to pre-approval data, wherein saidpre-approval data qualifies a user to be able to agree to purchase saiditem without a need to transmit payment information in response to apurchase; receiving, by said computer based system, an agreement topurchase said item and to initiate a purchase transaction using loyaltypoints, in response to a notification of an offer for sale of said item;transmitting, by said computer based system, a confirmation in responseto acceptance of said agreement; and processing, by said computer basedsystem and in response to acceptance of said agreement, a payment forsaid item using loyalty points.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidaccount code is associated with a wireless device.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said account code is associated with a wireless deviceon a transaction device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein saidreceiving said agreement to purchase comprises receiving an indicationto reserve said item for purchase at a later time.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising receiving, from said user, an indication ofinterest to receive additional notifications in response to said itembeing offered for sale.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said receivingan agreement comprises receiving an agreement via at least one of: anemail, text message and verbal request.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein said receiving an agreement comprises a word, an account code, apersonal identification number (PIN) and a code.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein said notification of said offer for sale occurs atpre-defined times.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said account codeis associated with a wireless device, and wherein said wireless deviceis at least one of: a telephone, a personal digital assistant, and anemail device.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmittingsaid notification to said user.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein saidreceiving an agreement to purchase comprises receiving a bid to purchasesaid item.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said notificationcomprises at least one of: an item descriptor, item price, dateavailable for purchase, and time available for purchase.
 13. The methodof claim 1, wherein said transmitting said confirmation comprisessending a confirmation via at least one of: text message, email message,telephone call, facsimile, and pager message.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein said notification of said offer for sale of said item is basedon receiving a selection of said item from a web site.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said notification of said offer for sale of said itemis based on at least one of: a desired price, desired quantity, desiredpurchase date, desired purchase time, and an item availability alertmode.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising issuing loyaltypoints based on at least one of said transmitting a confirmation and asuccessful purchase.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginitiating a purchase transaction.
 18. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising initiating a purchase transaction by automatically populatingweb form.
 19. A system comprising: a processor for facilitating apurchase of an item, a tangible, non-transitory memory configured tocommunicate with said processor, the tangible, non-transitory memoryhaving instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution bysaid processor, cause said processor to perform operations comprising:issuing, by said processor, pre-approval status to a user in response toreceiving an account code associated with a transaction account and inresponse to pre-approval data, wherein said pre-approval data qualifiesa user to be able to agree to purchase said item without a need totransmit payment information in response to a purchase; receiving, bysaid processor, an agreement to purchase said item and to initiate apurchase transaction using loyalty points, in response to a notificationof an offer for sale of said item; transmitting, by said processor, aconfirmation in response to acceptance of said agreement; andprocessing, by said processor and in response to acceptance of saidagreement, a payment for said item using loyalty points.
 20. An articleof manufacture including a non-transitory, tangible computer readablemedium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to executionby a computer-based system for facilitating a purchase of an item, causesaid computer-based system to perform operations comprising: issuing, bysaid computer based system, pre-approval status to a user in response toreceiving an account code associated with a transaction account and inresponse to pre-approval data, wherein said pre-approval data qualifiesa user to be able to agree to purchase said item without a need totransmit payment information in response to a purchase; receiving, bysaid computer based system, an agreement to purchase said item and toinitiate a purchase transaction using loyalty points, in response to anotification of an offer for sale of said item; transmitting, by saidcomputer based system, a confirmation in response to acceptance of saidagreement; and processing, by said computer based system and in responseto acceptance of said agreement, a payment for said item using loyaltypoints.